USA: Isolation is Seniors' Enemy, Center Will Keep Them Engaged

DURHAM, North Carolina (The News & Observer), May 18, 2006: Once an older person becomes isolated, "everything cascades down from that," including health and happiness, Diane Wright told a group of community leaders in Durham last week. Wright, co-chairwoman of the city's public/private seniors task force, and others looked forward to Friday's grand opening of a new center designed to keep seniors from isolation and decline. The Durham Center for Senior Life will house several agencies in addition to the Council for Senior Citizens. "The new center is going to deal with the problem of social isolation by bringing together seniors in the Durham community in settings that will enable them to find relief," said Nancy Love, executive director of the Council for Senior Citizens. "It is the first free-standing senior center in Durham and I am so excited." The city donated land, voters passed a $5.5 million bond issue in 2001 and private sources kicked in an additional $1.5 million for the 31,000-square-foot center. To keep seniors involved and healthy, the center will offer information and case referral, caregiver support, computer classes, health promotion and transportation. It will also provide recreation -- board games, low-impact exercise, movies and book club meetings. Key city agencies such as Senior PHARMassist and Meals on Wheels are relocating to the center, and state workers will be on hand to sign people up for services. "We hope people come to the center to meet people, find comfortable chairs and stretch out a little," said Joan Pelletier, director of the Triangle J Area Agency on Aging and director of the Durham Council for Senior Citizens during much of the long planning process for the center. Social isolation doesn't end with loneliness; it can also lead to self-neglect, depression and deteriorating physical health, Pelletier said. For Lucille Prout, a Durham resident in her 70s who spoke to the group, depression came when her children grew up and left. "I had depression and I didn't know what it was," Prout said. "I mostly did nothing." By the time she finally got counseling, Prout said, she had been staying in her bedroom and watching television 18 to 20 hours a day. By recognizing her problem and dealing with it, she has emerged from her depression. "My friends have started coming back and I've made new friends," Prout said. "I feel like I've started all over again." Another Durham resident, Lynn Holloway, talked about the problems caused by lack of transportation. "We have a food store, but it's not enough," said Holloway, also in her 70s. "People need to get clothes sometime. They need someone to take them that will have patience with them." There's a bus stop by the new center, but people who have trouble getting around will still need help getting to the curb, Pelletier said. Activities at the new center will be determined by asking older people in the Durham community what their greatest needs are, Love said. "They'll be able to talk about things in their lives and be a part of things in Durham," she said. By Thomas Goldsmith © Copyright 2007, The News & Observer Publishing Company